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TRANSCRIPT
Zimbabwe Best of Birding
17th to 28th January 2020 (12 days)
Victoria Fall’s Extension 28th January to 31st January 2020 (4 days)
Boulder Chat by Hugh Chittenden
Zimbabwe is justly famous as a superb birding destination that leaves one with a lasting impression
of having experienced the real 'wild Africa.' Pristine wilderness areas, spectacular landscapes and
an amazing variety of ecosystems make Zimbabwe a natural history paradise. The diversity of
habitats is astounding and ranges from open grassland and afro-montane evergreen forest to broad-
leaved mopani and miombo woodlands, gallery forest and seasonal wetlands, which together host a
large and impressive variety of birds and game. Our tour to this under-birded African destination
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 2
has been specially designed to incorporate all of these diverse habitats, and we can expect some
unrivalled birding experiences!
The superb mopani and miombo woodlands are home to a vast suite of avian specialities such as the
smart Arnot’s Chat, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, spectacular Racket-tailed Roller, localised
Boulder Chat and Southern Hyliota, while we can expect seldom-seen and extremely localised species
like Chirinda Apalis, Roberts’s Warbler, the delightful Swynnerton’s Robin, Bronzy Sunbird, Black-
fronted Bushshrike and Cinnamon-breasted Tit in the picturesque Vumba Mountains of the Eastern
Highlands which border Mozambique. Another mouth-watering destination is the Honde Valley
which also borders Mozambique. This valley will put us in direct contact with many bird species more
restricted to the low-lying areas of Mozambique which otherwise, can be very hard to find. These
include Marsh Tchagra, Lesser Seedcracker, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Moustached Grass
Warbler, Green-backed Woodpecker, Black-winged Red Bishop, Short-winged Cisticola, Red-winged
Warbler and some highly localised species such as Scarce Swift and Singing Cisticola.
Our tour then moves onto the extensive, seasonal wetlands and bird-rich miombo woodland’s around
the capital city of Harare. Here localised specialities include Green-backed Honeybird, Whyte’s
Barbet, African Spotted Creeper, Miombo Rock Thrush and Miombo Double-collared Sunbird. We
descend from the plateau once more into the Lower Zambezi Valley where our primary target will be
the very sought after African Pitta. This under-birded wilderness also holds specials such as Böhm's
Spinetail, Livingstone's Flycatcher, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Arnot's Chat and the sought after
Big 5.
THE TOUR AT A GLANCE…
BEST OF BIRDING ZIMBABWE
Day 1 Arrival in Harare, Zimbabwe
Day 2 Harare to the Vumba Mountains (Eastern Highlands)
Days 3 & 4 Vumba Mountains (Eastern Highlands)
Day 5 Vumba Mountains to Honde Valley
Day 6 Honde Valley
Day 7 Honde Valley to Harare via Gosho Park
Day 8 Harare and surrounds
Day 9 Harare to the Lower Zambezi Valley
Days 10 & 11 Lower Zambezi Valley
Day 12 Zambezi Valley to Harare and final departures
VICTORIA FALLS EXTENSION
Day 1 Arrival in Victoria Fall’s and transfer to Zambezi NP via Victoria Falls
Days 2 & 3 Zambezi National Park and Chobe National Park
Day 4 Transfer from Zambezi NP to Victoria Fall’s for final departure
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 3
TOUR MAP
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 4
Best of Birding Zimbabwe
African Pitta by Hugh Chittenden
Day 1: Arrival in Harare. Upon arrival in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, you will be met by a Rockjumper representative and transferred to our nearby lodge where we shall overnight. Time permitting, we shall explore the Harare National Botanical Gardens where Whyte’s Barbet visits the fruiting fig trees, Miombo Double-collared, Variable and Copper Sunbirds may all be seen in the indigenous gardens. We will then settle into our overnight accommodations.
Day 2: Harare to the Vumba Mountains. After an early breakfast we will make our way to the
picturesque Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. En route we will visit some pristine miombo dominated
by Brachystegia trees with a whole host of mouth-watering miombo specials. We will specifically
target Boulder Chat, Black-eared Seedeater, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Wood Pipit, African
Spotted Creeper, Red-faced Crombec,
White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Cinnamon-
breasted Tit, Green-capped Eremomela
and both Brown and Green-backed
Honeybirds. Pushing on to our main
destination where we will be based for
three nights at a small farm-style retreat
deep within the forests of the Vumba
Mountains, or “mountains of the mist,”
situated to the south-east of Mutare. An
investigation of the surroundings may
produce Roberts’s Warbler, Bronzy,
Variable and Miombo Double-collared
Sunbirds, Cape Robin-Chat and Stripe-
cheeked Greenbul while Yellow-bellied Chirinda Apalis by Adam Riley
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 5
Waxbill and Red-chested Flufftail may also be found near the various wetlands scattered in the region.
Days 3 & 4: Vumba Mountains. We have
two full days to explore the lush
Afromontane forest that drapes The Vumba
Mountains. Excellent birding can be had
right around our accommodation and we
shall be on the lookout for a host of
specialities that inhabit these verdant forests.
Livingstone’s Turaco, Silvery-cheeked
Hornbill, African Emerald Cuckoo, White-
eared Barbet and African Olive Pigeon
clamber around the forest canopy, while
Lemon and Tambourine Doves, Buff-spotted
Flufftail and Barratt’s Warbler inhabit the
forest understory.
Mixed species flocks are a feature of these
forests and could reveal the presence of Cape Batis, Black-fronted and Olive Bushshrikes, Yellow-
streaked and Stripe-cheeked Greenbuls, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, the shy and brilliant
Orange Ground Thrush, Bar-throated Apalis, Dark-backed Weaver, Grey Cuckooshrike, White-tailed
Crested and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatchers.
The nearby Vumba Botanical Gardens are also an excellent place to explore. Birding here is
particularly enjoyable and a leisurely stroll through this botanical wonderland could produce many
of the same species as mentioned above and may also yield several forest edge specialists like the
elusive Red-faced Crimsonwing, brilliant Red-throated and Green Twinspots, Yellow-bellied
Waxbill, African Firefinch and an array of exquisite sunbirds that include Bronzy, Collared, Variable
and Olive Sunbirds. Zimbabwe’s only two near-endemic birds also occur here, Roberts’s Warbler
and Chirinda Apalis; both species only occurring here and in the inaccessible highland areas in
adjacent Mozambique. Two other avian gems that we will
search for today are White-starred and the extremely
localised and stunning Swynnerton’s Robin, which is
restricted to a few Afro-montane forests in south-eastern
and eastern Africa.
We’ll also pay special attention to the large raptors in the
region. These include Crowned and Long-crested Eagles
and Augur Buzzard. Dense foliage and bracken covered
forest edges host Cape Grassbird, Cape Robin-Chat and
Singing Cisticola, while several species of mammal also
occur in this area and include Bushbuck, the diminutive
Blue Duiker, Blue Monkey, Mutable Sun Squirrel and the
rare African Palm Civet, which is the only place it can be
found in the southern African sub-region.
Day 5: Vumba Mountains to the Honde Valley. En route
to our lodge nestled within the Honde Valley, we will bird
a stretch of Miombo woodland around Christmas Pass, in
search of some species that we might have missed. Brown-
Swynnerton’s Robin by Adam Riley
Whyte’s Barbet
by Daniel Keith Danckwerts
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 6
backed and Green-backed Honeybirds,
Miombo and Cinnamon-breasted Tits,
African Spotted Creeper, Miombo Rock
Thrush, Whyte's Barbet, Red-faced
Crombec, White-breasted Cuckooshrike,
Orange-winged Pytilia, Black-eared
Seedeater and Cabanis’s Bunting are all
good possibilities. Tree Pipit and Collared
Flycatcher are rare migrants that are
regularly found here and a watchful eye
skyward may reward us with the stunning
Augur Buzzard and Mottled Swift.
The Honde Valley adjacent to the Rhodes
Inyanga National Park provides us with
breath-taking scenic views while we may
be fortunate to encounter Augur Buzzard,
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill and even the critically endangered Blue Swallow as we descend the plateau.
Day 6: Honde Valley. The setting of our lodge for two nights is exquisite - deep within a valley, on
the edge of a small mountain river that can produce its own hydro-electricity via a network of weirs
and channels if need be. The hills surrounding the lodge are covered in scenic tea plantations and
lush low-altitude forest that attracts a huge array of species typical of Zimbabwe's low-lying
neighbour - Mozambique. We will spend our stay here focusing on these low-altitude species
including Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Green-backed Woodpecker, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo,
Red-winged Warbler, Pale Batis, Scarce Swift, Collared Palm-Thrush, Short-winged and Singing
Cisticolas, Eastern Saw-wing (a sub-species of Black Saw-wing) and even Eleonora's Falcon. In the
damp areas, we will be searching for the highly localised Marsh Tchagra, Lesser Seedcracker,
Moustached Grass Warbler and Black-winged Bishop. Other species that will happily entertain us
during our exploration of this incredible area include Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Pallid Honeyguide,
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, the exquisite Black-fronted
Bush-Shrike, the bright Red-throated and Green Twinspots,
Yellow-bellied and Grey Waxbill, Palm-nut Vulture and the
impressive Ayres's Hawk-Eagle.
Day 7: Honde Valley to Harare via Gosho Park. This
morning we depart the Honde Valley and head back to
Harare. Time permitting, we will stop at Gosho Park near
Marondera, a pristine piece of miombo woodland. This is
one of the strongholds of the dainty African Spotted Creeper
and good views should be had whilst it characteristically
clambers upwards from the base of these tall, straight trees.
Copper, Variable and Western Violet-backed Sunbirds,
Shelley's and Coqui Francolin, as well as Boulder Chat will
also be sought after. We will reach Harare late this
afternoon.
Day 8: Harare and surrounds. Harare is justly famous for
its seasonally flooded wetlands and we will spend the day
searching for birds that move in with the rains. Depending
Amur Falcon by Clayton Burne
African Spotted Creeper
by Matthew Matthiessen
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 7
on rainfall and conditions we might find
several rare, secretive and erratic species like
Striped and Spotted Crakes, Streaky-breasted
Flufftail, Blue Quail and Locust Finch, which
would be the top prizes. These species are all
regular and appear annually in the grasslands
in and around Harare, however they will only
be present if there has been regular, recent rain
and the seasonally flooded grasslands are
shallowly inundated with water. Other regular
visitors include African and Western Marsh
Harriers, African and Corn Crakes, Greater
Painted-snipe, African Snipe, Black Coucal,
Marsh and Grass Owls, three species of
Longclaws (including the highly sought-after
Rosy-throated), Pale-crowned, Wing-snapping and the larger Croaking Cisticolas, the parasitic and
nomadic Cuckoo-finch, Orange-breasted Waxbill and Quailfinch.
If the dambos are dry, then we will head out early and spend the morning birding the fabulous
Mukuvisi Woodlands. This 270ha sanctuary is situated within the Harare city limits and supports an
extensive stand of Miombo woodland where we will search for such Miombo specials as African
Spotted Creeper, Miombo Rock Thrush, Whyte’s Barbet, Green-backed Honeybird, Miombo Tit,
Red-faced Crombec, Wood Pipit, Miombo Blue-eared Starling, Black-eared Seedeater, Cabanis’s
Bunting and Miombo Double-collared Sunbird. The birding here is particularly rich and amongst
commoner African bird species, we may see African Goshawk, Klaas’s and Diederik Cuckoos,
Bennett’s and Bearded Woodpeckers and African Yellow Warbler. If we are fortunate, we may also
stumble across the impressive Pennant-winged Nightjar or European Nightjar at their daytime roosts.
Day 9: Harare to the Lower Zambezi Valley. Our next destination requires us to transfer to a 4X4
vehicle as we head north toward the rugged and largely unexplored region of the Lower Zambezi
Valley. Arriving at our camp around lunch time, we’ll make ourselves at home, before exploring the
truly spectacular wilderness area nestled along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This
beautiful region teems with a wide variety of birds and mammals and harbours some of Africa’s most
wonderful species. Here, lured by one of the very best opportunities anywhere in its entire range, we
will go in search of one of Africa’s rarest and most highly-desired birds, the stunning African Pitta!
While in this region we will
focus most of our efforts on
finding this very special and
elusive species and many other
highly desired and difficult
African birds including Lilian’s
Lovebird, Thick-billed Cuckoo,
Eastern Nicator and the
exquisite Livingstone’s
Flycatcher.
While in this region we will be
accompanied by an armed
ranger at all times because this
area is well known for its Arnot’s Chat by Adam Riley
Rosy-throated Longclaw by Cuan Rush
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 8
dangerous mammals, especially African
Elephant, African Buffalo and Leopard –
which roam the area freely. The area is
extremely rich in bird life and harbours
many specialities. In the mopani, acacia,
baobab and riparian woodlands that
dominate the area we will be on the lookout
for Crowned and Western Banded Snake
Eagles, the crepuscular and easily over-
looked Bat Hawk, Dickinson’s Kestrel,
Lizard Buzzard, Brown-necked and Meyer’s
Parrots, noisy flocks of Lillian’s Lovebird,
Flappet Lark, Böhm’s and Mottled
Spinetails overhead, Southern Ground
Hornbill, Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah,
Cut-throat Finch, Purple, Village and the
rare Zambezi Indigobirds, dazzling Copper
and Purple-banded Sunbirds, Racket-tailed Roller, Retz’s Helmetshrike and possibly its host, the rare
and elusive Thick-billed Cuckoo.
Days 10 & 11: Lower Zambezi Valley. The next couple of days shall be spent birding in the
surrounding woodland, focussing on areas of dense thickets with deep leaf litter along the dry
riverbeds that criss-cross the region. This is the ideal habitat of the African Pitta and its favoured
breeding grounds. Finding this special bird will involve early morning departures, in order to reach
their traditional display grounds when the pittas are most vocal.
The pitta’s display is a privilege to watch as the brilliantly coloured male launches himself from a
horizontal branch whilst uttering its single liquid call note, only to parachute back down to its original
spot in a splendid flash of colour in the dark understory of the forest; an experience never to be
forgotten!
In these riparian thickets we will also search for Crested Guineafowl, the sought-after Livingstone’s
Flycatcher, gorgeous Narina Trogon, African Broadbill, Eastern Nicator, Bearded Scrub Robin,
Collared Palm Thrush, vociferous but secretive Thrush Nightingale, immaculate Red-throated
Twinspot, Jameson’s and Red-billed Firefinches and Orange-winged Pytilia. We may be lucky and
Lillian’s Lovebird by Phil Perry
Pennant-winged Nightjar by Hugh Chittenden
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 9
bump into more pittas during their day’s foraging but we’d be fortunate to do so as they are shy and
rather scarce and are only readily located when calling in the early morning and sometimes in the late
afternoon. In saying this, our lodge kitchen roof has even had an individual displaying from it!
Owls are readily seen in the vicinity of our camp and we will search for several species in the evening.
If our luck holds we may glimpse African Wood Owl, African Barred Owlet and African Scops Owl
and, if luck is truly on our side, a majestic male Pennant-winged Nightjar in full nuptials. We will
then settle to an excellent farewell dinner with the group before a final night’s rest on this spectacular
tour.
Day 12: Zambezi Valley to Harare and final departures. Our final morning will afford us a further
opportunity to enjoy the amazing display of the African Pitta as well as many more beautiful birds
we may have missed during the trip. We’ll then return to Harare where we will connect with our
international flights home, or set off for out Victoria Fall’s Extension.
Victoria Falls Extension
Victoria Fall’s by Glen Valentine
Our pre-tour extension takes us from the majestic Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the
natural world, to a private concession bordering the Chobe Forest Reserve. This brief yet thoroughly
rewarding tour allows us to target many of the Okavango Delta species which reach their eastern
limit of distribution here, as well as marvelling at the truly magnificent spectacle that is the Victoria
Falls!
Day 1: Arrival in Victoria Fall’s and transfer to Zambezi NP via Victoria Falls. Upon arriving
in Victoria Fall’s Airport, we will transfer to the spectacular Victoria Falls. Considered to be one of
the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, the falls are a spectacular curtain of cataracts formed by the
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 10
mighty Zambezi River, as it plunges
thunderously into the gorge 300 feet below.
Never far from its earth-moving grumble, we
shall scan the river islands for roosting Rock
Pratincole, while a search of the small patch
of ‘rain forest’ (formed by the falls' perpetual
spray) may turn up such tropical species as
Trumpeter Hornbill, Schalow’s Turaco, the
attractive African Emerald Cuckoo, the
vocal White-browed Robin-Chat and
attractive and melodic Collared Palm
Thrush.
Leaving the mighty falls behind, we will then
transfer to our wonderful lodge near the
border with Botswana, Namibia and Zambia,
keeping a lookout for Racket-tailed Roller, Bradfield’s Hornbill, Southern Pied Babbler and Long-
tailed and Broad-tailed Paradise Whydahs en route. Finally, we will arrive at our luxurious safari
lodge situated on the banks of the Zambezi River and our delightful home for the next three nights!
With a waterhole right in front of the lodge and a view over the river from each stone-and-thatch unit,
we will be sure to take the time to enjoy the spectacular and comfortable surroundings. Not to mention
the animals and birds that wander into the lodge's unfenced grounds!
Days 2 & 3: Zambezi National Park and Chobe National Park. Set in a private concession
bordering the Chobe Forest Reserve complete with 14 kilometres of Zambezi River frontage, our
lodge is a haven for waterbirds and home to all of the Okavango Delta species, here found at the
eastern edge of their distribution. During our time here we will embark on boat trips along the
Zambezi River, drifting along slowly, soaking in the wonderful sights and sounds of the African
wilderness. We’ll also enjoy some mesmerising game drives into the surrounding Zambezi and Chobe
National Parks on the lookout for the many avian specialities that inhabit this bird-rich area.
While meandering through the floodplains, dominated by stands of Cyperus, Papyrus, Phragmites
reeds, floodplain grasses and sedges, we hope to find Rufous-bellied Heron, the elusive and localised
Slaty Egret, Collared Pratincole, White-crowned and Long-toed Lapwings, Allen’s Gallinule, Lesser
Moorhen, the minuscule Lesser Jacana, gigantic Coppery-tailed Coucal, Luapula and Chirping
Cisticolas, Greater and Lesser Swamp
Warblers, the boldly-coloured African
Pygmy Goose and with some luck Rosy-
throated Longclaw, Wattled Crane, the
scarce and nocturnal White-backed Night
Heron and much-desired Pel’s Fishing Owl.
The explosion of colour as flocks of Blue-
cheeked and Southern Carmine Bee-eaters
arrive at their nests on the sandy banks is a
sight to behold! Swamp Boubou, Collared
Palm Thrush, Brown Firefinch, Senegal
Coucal and Hartlaub’s Babbler can be seen
right around the lodge and favour riverside
thickets. Areas of more open water and
Schalow’s Turacos by Adam Riley
Rock Pratincole by Markus Lilje
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 11
sandbanks along the river are home to
migratory African Skimmers that make their
way down from central Africa to breed here
in summer on exposed sandbanks as a result
of low water levels. The extensive reed beds
also attract a variety of weavers, widowbirds
and bishops, which utilise this habitat for
nesting in summer, and we can expect to
encounter some brilliant species in full
breeding plumage, including Southern
Brown-throated, Holub’s Golden, Village,
Southern Masked, Lesser Masked and
Thick-billed Weavers, Southern Red
Bishop, Fan-tailed and White-winged
Widowbirds. Red-billed Quelea should also
be in attendance in large numbers, attracting
both migrant and resident raptors such as Tawny, Lesser Spotted and Steppe Eagles, while Eurasian
and African Hobbies are all possible in the ensuing melee.
During our rewarding and relaxing excursions, we may also encounter an array of exciting mammals:
Giraffe, Plains Zebra, Impala, Greater Kudu, Hippopotamus, herds of muscular African Buffalo and
the iconic African Elephant. Troops of Vervets and Chacma Baboons roam playfully in the riverine
woodland and we may even encounter Cape Clawless and Spotted-necked Otters feeding in the river.
We can also expect to see good numbers of the formidable Nile Crocodile, basking in the sun, on the
sand banks.
At dusk we can enjoy sundowners at the edge of the river, an idyllic spot indeed, watching as hundreds
of birds begin to move around between their feeding and roosting grounds. We might also encounter
a Bat Hawk hunting overhead or perhaps Eurasian and African Hobbies.
During our stay we will also take a night drive in the hopes of seeing Bat-eared Fox, Common and
Central African Large-spotted Genets, White-tailed Mongoose, Springhare, Wild Cat, Southern
Lesser Galago and African Savanna Hare, amongst many other rarer species; Serval, Side-striped
Jackal, African Civet, Cape Porcupine, Zorilla, Honey Badger and Selous’ Mongoose among them.
Several species of owl and nightjar are
also possible including the rare Swamp
Nightjar, which may be found on the
floodplain itself, as well as the spectacular
Pennant-winged Nightjar, African Wood
Owl and tiny African Barred Owlet.
Day 4: Transfer from Zambezi NP to
Victoria Falls Airport for final
departure. After some early morning
birding and a scrumptious breakfast, we
will begin our drive back to Victoria Falls.
We may encounter a number of raptors
along the short drive including Tawny and
Wahlberg’s Eagles, African Harrier-
Hawk, Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby and
Pel’s Fishing Owl by Adam Riley
Slaty Egret by Marius Coetzee
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 12
even the elusive Dickinson’s Kestrel and African Cuckoo-Hawk. The tour will conclude at Victoria
Fall's International Airport.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this
tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below.
This includes:
• All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12 of the main tour, and from lunch on day
1 to lunch on day 4 of the extension;
• All lodgings;
• Ground transportation;
• Reserve entrance fees;
• Extra activities as mentioned in the itinerary; and
• All guiding services (including tips for local guides and services).
The tour fee does not include:
• Visa fees;
• ANY flights (see above);
• Any drinks;
• Special gratuities; and
• Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature.
Single Supplement: The single supplement cost for this tour will be charged if you wish to have single
accommodation. If RBL cannot provide you with a rooming partner for these nights although you
choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make all reasonable efforts to
ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour
price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other
currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final
invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single
supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency.
b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small
party supplement will have to be charged.
c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may
have to be adjusted as a result.
d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper
leader at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will
attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible.
Tipping: As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc.) are included on this tour.
However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader. If, therefore, you feel that he has given
you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip him.
Special Notes:
• It is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick
to 20kg (44lb) for check-in luggage and 8kg (+-18kg) for hand luggage.
RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding & Victoria Falls Extension Itinerary 13
• Fitness: This tour does not require a high level of fitness, but participants should be in good
general health as most of the birding will be done on foot, and may require walking for several
hours at a time. Should you have any physical limitations, please notify us in advance of
departure.
• Accommodation throughout the trip varies from comfortable to extremely comfortable and
luxurious. On the African Pitta Extension, however, the accommodation is rather basic.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS:
This tour does not include ANY airfares. The tour will begin at Harare International Airport, Harare
in the mid to late afternoon of day 1, and conclude at Harare International Airport, Harare in the
afternoon of day 12.
The Victoria Falls Extension will begin at Victoria Falls Airport on the day 1 no later than 12:00 noon
and will end at Harare International Airport, Harare in the mid to late afternoon of day 4.
The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and
departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been
officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this
regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office.
FLIGHT DETAILS:
Harare International Airport, Harare (IATA: HRE) is the main port of entry for international flights
for this tour. Victoria Fall's Airport (IATA: VFA) is best reached via Johannesburg on South African
Airways. Please DO NOT book any flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for
confirmation on the status of the tour.